Hearts and Aces (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 7) by Kaylie Hunter (great books for teens txt) 📗

“Remember Hattie’s oven? You didn’t mean to blow that up, either.”

“I know,” he said, leaning his head on my shoulder.

“Did you eat dinner?”

He nodded.

“Are you still hungry?”

He nodded again.

“Why don’t you go raid the kitchen at the main house and then meet us in Donovan’s basement. We’re working a case.”

“Really?” he asked as he lifted his head and looked at me.

“Yes, really.”

Carl threw his arms around me and squeezed me too hard before abruptly releasing me and running out of the bedroom.

I followed at a slower pace.

“I take it Katie guilted you into talking to him?” Alex called over the back of the couch.

“Bite me.”

I heard Haley giggle as I walked down the stairs.

Chapter Twenty-Six

It was a long night. After several hours of research, Maggie was asleep on the couch with a quilt draped over her and an accent pillow tucked under her head. Bones had taken Bridget back to his apartment an hour ago. Tech and Katie had left a few minutes later. Carl was sleeping on the floor, snoring.

“Time for bed,” Wild Card said, pulling me up from the floor by my armpits.

“I have too much work to do.”

“It’s mental work at this point, and your brain is fried. Time to get a few hours of sleep.”

I nodded, too tired to argue as he led me down the tunnel. Before I knew it, I was in my bedroom.

“Are you heading over to Headquarters?” I asked between yawns.

“I’m sleeping in the atrium.”

I thought about how Nicholas had asked if Wild Card would be sleeping in my room. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Lucky for me, you’re too tired to fight me about it,” Wild Card said, pulling a pillow and blanket out of the far closet.

I nodded to myself, agreeing to his logic as I stripped off my boots, jeans, and took my bra off without removing my shirt. I started to crawl into bed when I noticed the bedroom door was closed. I opened it before returning to bed and crawling under the covers.

Wild Card laughed. “What was that about?”

“Closed doors send the wrong message.”

“Are you worried Nicholas would get the wrong idea, or are you worried you’ll be tempted to fool around?”

“Nicholas, of course. Geesh. What kind of girl do you think I am?” I curled onto my side with my back toward the atrium.

It was quiet except for the rustling of the blanket as Wild Card made up a bed on the atrium couch. “I shouldn’t have said all that I-love-you shit this afternoon. For the record, I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize your chance to fix things with Grady. And, even then, I refuse to be your second choice. If there ever comes a day when I’m your first choice…” He sighed. I heard him settle onto the couch. “Never mind. Not the point. We’re friends. That’s it.”

“I’m glad you told me how you feel. I never meant to hurt you.”

“I know that.”

I rolled over to face the atrium but could only make out his general shape on the couch. “You’re the best damn ex-husband in the world. You know that, right?”

“I’m also good in bed,” Wild Card said in the darkness. “Get some sleep.”

The day’s events drifted from my mind, and I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

~*~*~

Nicholas’ screams woke me in the dead of night. I ran from my room and into his bedroom before I’d even opened my eyes. He was covered in sweat, throwing punches into the air, as he continued to scream.

I threw myself onto his bed, wrapping my arms around him to pin his arms to his sides. “Nicholas! Wake up! Wake up, baby!”

Wild Card turned on the light as he entered the room. “Nick! Wake Up!” Wild Card yelled as he grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around Nicholas’ legs to prevent him from kicking out.

“Please, baby,” I said in his ear. “Mom’s here. You’re safe.”

I repeated the words, over and over, before I felt him gradually settle in my arms. I couldn’t see his face, but I could feel his breathing slow to a steady rhythm.

“That’s it, sweetheart. Mom’s here. You’re safe.”

“Mommmm,” he cried, trying to reach his hands toward me.

I released my hold and pulled him onto my lap, rocking him side to side. Through blurry eyes, I glanced over at Wild Card and saw his anxious expression. I stroked Nicholas’ hair. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ve got you. It’s going to be okay.”

“What can we do?” Anne whispered from the doorway. Whiskey stood beside her in his boxers, holding her hand.

“He’ll be all right,” Wild Card said while tucking the blanket around Nick. “A cup of warm cocoa might help him go back to sleep when he’s ready, though.”

“You got it,” Whiskey said, steering Anne down the hall.

“You’re safe, sweetheart,” I whispered as I continued to rock him. “I’ve got you. I’m right here. Always.”

It took twenty minutes to settle Nicholas down. He wouldn’t tell me about his nightmare, but I could guess it was either about Grady or Nola. It sickened me that Grady was now someone who could haunt my son’s dreams.

I continued to hold him, rocking him from side to side, as I leaned against his headboard with him on my lap. Wild Card moved to the floor, one arm stretched over my leg and his hand rubbing Nicholas’ knee. I’m not sure how long we sat like that before I fell asleep.

~*~*~

When I woke a few hours later, I found myself still sitting with Nicholas’ upper body on top of his pillow and his lower half stretched across my lap. Wild Card was on the floor with his